It's an annual undertaking that will culminate this year on May 5th and 6th when students dance their way onto the Gifford School Auditorium stage in costumes made by Helen--some 600 of them. They are the result of 12 months' work, an annual endeavor which began in 1972, a year after Bonnie purchased the studio.

In its first year, Helen and Bonnie had ordered all the recital costumes, but were dissapointed since the outfits didn't exactly measure up to their order book descriptions in fabric or quality.

The following year, Helen made about half the costumes for the show.

Then the prices went up and the quality went down so, in 1974 (and every year since), Helen made all the costumes, at a considerable savings to the parents of the dancers. (she averages about 600 annually, with her top production one year being almost 750!)

"Generally, about a week or two after the conclusion of a recital, Bonnie and I pick a theme for the next year's. Then I begin pouring through costume and fabric house catalogues, and start designing costumes. I try to work a costume around a leotard if I can, so it's not a complete waste after a recital. That way the dancers can wear the leotard later for dance lessons or with jeans."

Twenty-nine years, 15,000 costumes and three sewing machines later, Helen says, " I can't understand why people say they have nothing to do; there aren't enough hours in the day."

Oh yes, in her spare time, Helen also makes costumes for Academy Performing Arts Companytroupe members--to date, some 6000 of them!